Autumn in Daylesford, Melbourne- The Spa Capital of Australia

Last school holidays, I flew down to Melbourne (something I do frequently) to visit my sister and a good friend. I requested a visit to Daylesford as I wanted to dine at Alla Wolf-Taskers'   Lake House (two chefs hat) and try lavender scones from the Lavundula Swiss Italian Farm. Not many people know about Daylesford in Sydney. I work with a group of teachers who are well traveled in Australia, and even they all looked at my with raised eyes brows when I told them about my trip. 

Daylesford is a quaint little town located in the shire of Hepburn, Victoria. From Melbourne's CBD, I believe it takes 1-1.5 hours by car. When I was there in April, it was like walking through an Autumn postcard. Absolutely gorgeous. 

Some people believe pictures speak louder than words. So here they are. Take a look for yourself, and do, if you're ever in Melbourne during the Autumn months, visit this picturesque little town: 

 

Outfit Edit: Dress by Josh Goot; Bag by YSL 

Scones from Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm, Daylesford (So good!)

A pretty set up inside Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm

We sat under the Autumn leaves eating scones. What a life.

I have an obsession for Autumn leaves.

My gorgeous sister 

Inside the Lake House restaurant. Loving the flower arrangement.

Wine in hand, taking in this gorgeous view from inside the Lake House.

I will blog about my experience at the Lake House sometime in the near future. Is it terrible I'm still thinking about the scones?

If you don't believe me, read it from a local. Alla Wolf-Tasker (Executive Chef at Lake House) recently shared her thoughts (and love) for Daylesford in an article for Australian Gourmet Traveller: 

http://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/travel/travel-guides/2013/6/alla-wolf-tasker%27s-daylesford/

Happy travels! 

whoYen,
xox

Thigh High Boots

Thigh high boots. Those three words aren't usually on the fashion tongues of many. Why? Because a lot of people still associate it with all things Pretty Woman (if you know what I mean).

But I am of the belief that it can be pretty, as well as bold and sexy.

I purchased a pair of thigh high boots a few years ago from Pump. I went home, tried it on and had a 'what were you thinking? moment. I couldn't see past Pretty Woman. I told myself I couldn't leave the house wearing it, that I wasn't brave enough.

Three years later, I remembered my unworn boots and decided it was time to clean the dust off the box and take them out. I knew the only way I could wear it (and tone the look down), would be to team it with something less bold, more on the 'pretty' side of things: a flowery dress. So here is the look:

Outfit Edit: Dress by Zimmermann; Boots by Pump & Clutch by Bardot.

This trench coat look happened by accident. One Saturday, not too long ago, I went for brunch with the husband in the city and wore a mini leopard play suit, my thigh high boots with this trench draped over me (I was having an 'out-there' moment). It got really windy and cold so I decided to do the trench up, and this is the result- a more refined, mature look:

Outfit Edit: Trench by Trenery; Boots by Pump & Bag by Prada

Thigh-High Looks That I Love:

 

 

whoYen

xox

Claude's Restaurant

Let's start with my favourite...

Claude's Restaurant & Bar: 10 Oxford Street, Woollahra

Kate Moss famously said "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels". I have my own version: "Nothing tastes as good as great service". It's been my dining motto for as long as I can remember. Armed with this ideology, I entered Claude's Restaurant in Wollahra for my 25th birthday to: 

EAT the best bloody food of my life

ONLY 

To meet the rudest maitre d' EVER. 

We were given complimentary starters (crackers of some sort?) and perused through the menu and decided that we might as well go with the degustation menu and their wine flight (it was starting to look pricey, but hey, you only turn 25 once). A few moments later, much to our surprise, we were being complimented some more. Husband and I reminded each other to take it easy, not to look too excited...we went for it anyway. 

And stopped, stunned, when the maitre d' approached our table, reached for our crackers and said in an accusing tone "The waiter who gave you this has only been working five minutes. You've had yours already."

I wish I could tell you I reacted strongly. That the birthday me  shouted "It's my birthday, and I'll eat as many crackers as I want to!"  In reality, she just cowered away, slightly embarrassed. You see, it was only the beginning of the night and hubby and I both knew we had a few long hours ahead of us considering we opted for the degustation menu. 

Can I just say, those hours were heaven on earth? 

This takes me back to my motto. Whilst I believe service can bring an ordinary meal to another level, the food at Claude's challenged my thinking. 

I've eaten at many, many restaurants (to be shared with you all slowly, but surely), and Claude's still stands out. I've spoken to a few colleagues at work and they agree. 

Claude's Restaurant Menu: 

Claude's Bar Menu:

Fast forward two years, Claude's has followed many fine dining establishments and opened what they call a "chow bar and eating house". Husband and I dropped in one Saturday and then took family there the following week. This time, the service was friendly and relaxed. The food is best enjoyed shared, and I seriously recommend the cheese souffle and chicken liver parfait.
 

Chicken Liver Parfait $9

Soufflé a la Suissesse $22

Fried chicken w cashew and curry leaf $18

Confessions of a Material Girl

When I was younger, I was known as "Material Girl". Being the youngest, I took advantage of my pre-kindergarten days and would sneak into the rooms of my three sisters (who were all off at school oblivious) and try on their clothes. I would prance around the mirror wearing anything and everything that did not belong to me. You see, everything is more alluring when it is not yours. When three thirty came ticking by, like Cinderella, the clothes magically came off and I walked around innocently in what I liked to call "my homie-g" clothes.

My sisters never knew.

This fascination with clothes, with fashion, style, has intensified year by year and followed me into my adulthood (poor husband- literally). For me, I view fashion as an exciting art, an opportunity to express who you are and how you want others to see you. One likes to believe we don't live in such a superficial world, where what you wear (how is that for alliteration?) does not cause others to cast judgement. Not everyone will agree with me on this, and that's the exciting thing about life- we all have such varied views.

Whatever fashion means to you, I hope you will find something here on lifeasmewhoyen to inspire and challenge you,

whoYen 

xox

Victoria Beckham wearing black + white

Victoria Beckham in Beijing to launch her fashion line @ Lane Crawford

I followed Victoria Beckham as a little girl and secretly wanted to be just like her. Then she met David Beckham and things got a little weird (do you blame her?). In recent years, her transformation has been amazing to witness. The new VB is sans boob job, sans tight provocative mini skirts and everything else that makes you go "WTH?" Replaced, is a woman who knows exactly what to wear and how to wear it. I believe if she was sans David Beckham, she'd still be conquering the world!

I don't believe in "I'm saving it for..."